Earlier this summer the NY State Legislature and Governor authorized Greenburgh and Ossining to become the first communities in New York State to phase in property tax increases after reassessment. Residents who qualify will pay part of their tax increases in years one and two. By the third year they will pay the entire taxes. The town and Ossining authorized the phase in for home owners whose assessments increased by more than 25%. Additional criteria: homeowners must earn less than $500,000 and only homes without building violations can benefit from the phase in. Residents who apply could be subject to an interior inspection.

September 15th was the deadline to apply. 1,044 homeowners applied for the phase in. Westchester County still has not conducted a county wide reassessment and many communities in Westchester have not reassessed properties in over 60 years--creating inequities and numerous certiorari tax grievances. Members of the Town Board and I promised residents, prior to the initiation of the reassessment process that we would push for hardship provisions. A thank you to the Governor for signing the authorization and to State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins and Assemblyman Tom Abinanti for lobbying their colleagues to allow Greenburgh to implement a phase in.

EARLIER this year the Greenburgh Town Board turned over land that previously was used as a no kill animal shelter by the Elmsford Animal Shelter and Pet's Alive to Paws Crossed. We have a deed restriction requiring that the property be used for a no kill shelter or for a municipal purpose. Paws Crossed will be holding their dedication today at 12 noon to 3 PM in Elmsford on Warehouse lane.